We’ve yet to indulge in a pumpkin spice latte and the holiday season is already upon us! In the blink of an eye, the weather has become blistering cold and there are twinkling lights everywhere you look. With Thanksgiving over, we’re feeling the crunch to get all of our lists checked off and hopefully have some time left to enjoy the season’s most fun festivities. If you’re feeling stressed, we recommend turning on this playlist while you browse this list of things to do in Nashville this December. Any one of these events is guaranteed to take your mind off the endless “to-dos” and help you focus on “today.”
Community Celebrations
- A Christmas Hallmark Movie Town in Granville, TN (now through 12/31)
- A Christmas Sing-Along at Church Street Park (12/3)
- Kid’s Christmas Party at Plaza Mariachi (12/7, 12/14)
- Community Christmas Party at NMAAM (12/10)
- Dickens of a Christmas in Downtown Franklin (12/10-12/11)
- Hanukkah Fest at Gordon JCC (12/11)
- Believe in the Magic: Community Christmas Celebration at Jimmy Floyd Center (12/17)
- Community Chanukah Party at Chabad of Nashville (12/18)
- Hanukkah Party at Game Terminal (12/18)
- Music for Seniors: Holiday Sing-Alongs at Frist Art Museum (12/19)
- Hanukkah Out East w/East Side Tribe & MoHo at Inglewood Lounge (12/21)
Dog-Friendly
- Doggie Brunch at Church Street Park (12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 12/24, 12/31)
- Pet Pictures with the Grinch at Mutts + Meows Natural Pet Market (12/4)
- Daytime Dog Visits with Santa at Cheekwood (12/4, 12/18)
- Photos with Santa Paws at PAWS of Rutherford County (12/9)
- A Holly Jolly Howliday Party! at Baxter Bailey & Company (12/10)
- Steal Santa’s Milk + Cookies at Mutts + Meows Natural Pet Market (12/17)
For the Foodies
- Trufflepalooza at Carne Mare (12/1-12/4)
- Christmas Dinner at Oaklands Mansion (12/2-12/3)
- Dolly Parton Christmas Drag Brunch at The Electric Jane (12/3)
- Persian Cooking Demonstration & Tasting at Frist Art Museum (12/3)
- Holiday Favorites Around the World Cooking Class at The Curious Kitchen (12/3)
- Nashville Taco Week at participating restaurants (12/5-12/11)
- Jingle Bells Bend – A Festive Supper That Sustains at 1 Kitchen (12/9)
- Italian Christmas Night at Homegrown Taproom & Kitchen (12/19)
Historic Tours
- Christmas Dinner at Oaklands Mansion (12/2-12/3)
- Christmas Tours at the Tennessee Residence (12/2-12/4, 12/8-12/11)
- 14th Annual Historic Places Tour in Lebanon (12/3)
- 1860’s Christmas at Historic Collinsville (12/4)
- 2022 Christmas Tours at Two Rivers Mansion (12/9-12/11)
- Hidden History: A Behind the Scenes Tour of Cragfont at Cragfont State Historic Site (12/10)
Holiday Markets
- East Nash Holiday Bash at Five Points (12/1-12/3)
- MarketHER: Female Business Vendor Market at L&L Market (12/2)
- Mistletoe Merchants at Wilson County Fairgrounds (12/2-12/4)
- Winter Wonder at Fifth & Broadway (12/3)
- Hollyday Marketplace at TN Miller Coliseum (12/3)
- Thompson’s Station Holiday Market at Homestead Manor (12/3)
- Shop Local Holiday Market with Santa at Nashville Farmer’s Market (12/3)
- Pre-Christmas & Kwanzaa Pop-Up at Rivergate Mall (12/3)
- The Blue Room Holiday Market at Third Man Records (12/4)
- Christmas Open House at Public Square Marketplace (12/5-12/9)
- Holiday Sip & Shop at Thistle Farms (12/8)
- The Goddess Craft Market – Holiday Edition at Wilburn Street Studio (12/8)
- Porter Flea Holiday Market at Fairgrounds Nashville (12/9)
- Nashville Punk Rock Flea Market at Eastside Bowl (12/10)
- Nashville Holiday Handmade Market at Music City Center (12/10-12/11)
- Nashville Flea Market at Fairgrounds Nashville (12/16-12/18)
- Holly Dolly Holiday Market at Graduate Nashville (12/17)
Holiday Pop-ups
- An Old Fashioned Christmas Bar at Bar TENN (now through 12/24)
- Island X-Mas at Chopper Tiki (now through 12/31)
- Let’s Get Blitzen at Game Terminal (now through 12/31)
- Miracle at Pearl Diver (now through 12/31)
- Whiskey Wonderland at JW Marriott (now through 12/31)
- Babes in Toyland at Virgin Hotels (now through January)
- Penguin Express at Grand Hyatt Nashville (now through 1/1)
- Misfit Bar at Fairlane Hotel (now through 1/2)
- Hidden Bar’s Holiday Vacation at Noelle (now through 1/7)
- Grinch-Themed Christmas Pop-Up Bar at Moxy Nashville Downtown (now through 1/8)
- Camp Bobby Rooftop Lounge at Bobby Hotel (now through February)
- Chalet 27 Winter Pop-up at L27 (now through February)
- The Lodge at PROOF (now through February)
- Hot Mess Express Holiday Party at Diskin Cider (12/2)
- Snow Globe 360°: An Immersive Holiday Pop-Up Bar at Nightscape (12/17-12/23)
Holiday Spirits
- Holiday Spirits: A Christmas Cocktail Festival at Factory Franklin (12/2)
- Nashville SantaCon Bar Crawl starting at Kung Fu Saloon (12/3)
- The Winter Warmer at Morgan Park (12/3)
- Nashville Santa Rampage on 2nd Ave (12/10)
- Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl at Assembly Food Hall (12/17)
Ice Skating
- Pinetop Village at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center (now through 1/1)
- Winterfest at Fountains at Gateway (now through 1/29)
- SnowRink in LaVergne (12/1-12/17)
- ‘Tis the Season Weekend Extravaganza on Historic Lebanon Square (12/3-12/4)
Movies
- Red Carpet Movie Premier: A Unicorn for Christmas at Woolworth Theatre (12/4)
- Christmas Vacation Movie Night at Mayday Brewery (12/4)
- Elf Trivia Night at Assembly Food Hall (12/5)
- Holiday Classics at Belcourt Theatre (12/9-12/28)
- 9th Annual Christmas Vacation Screening at Jackalope Brewing (12/11-12/12)
- Miracle on 34th Street at Capitol Theatre (12/13)
- Polar Express at Capitol Theatre (12/15)
- Christmas Trivia and Movie (Christmas Vacation) at The Capitol Theatre (12/17)
- Holiday Movie Night: How the Grinch Stole Christmas + The Holiday at Diskin Cider (12/17)
Nativities
- Walk Thru Bethlehem at Woodmont Christian Church (12/11)
- Bethlehem Marketplace: A Live Nativity at Southeast Baptist (12/11)
Parades & Christmas Tree Lightings
- Nashville Mayor’s Office Christmas Tree Lighting at Public Square (12/2)
- Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square in Downtown Franklin (12/2)
- Franklin Christmas Parade in Downtown Franklin (12/2)
- Donelson Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting (12/3)
- LaVergne Parade of Lights: Fire Up the Holidays at City Hall (12/3)
- Portland Christmas Festival & Parade on Main Street (12/3)
- Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa at Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center (12/3)
- Columbia Main Street Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting at 8 Public Square (12/3)
- Goodlettsville Christmas Parade: Hometown Holidays on Main Street (12/3)
- Hendersonville Christmas Boat Parade: Deck the Hulls at Mallard Point Park and Sanders Ferry Park (12/3)
- Watertown Christmas Parade on Main Street (12/3)
- Lebanon Christmas Parade: Home for the Holidays on West Main St. (12/4)
- Smyrna Christmas Parade on Lowry Street (12/4)
- Spring Hill Tree Lighting at Harvey Park (12/4)
- Leiper’s Fork Christmas Parade (12/10)
- Gallatin Christmas Parade: 12 Days of Christmas on Main Street (12/10)
- Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade: A Golden Christmas on Mt. Juliet Road (12/10)
- Murfreesboro Christmas Parade: Christmas Through the Years on the Murfreesboro Square (12/11)
- Menorah Lighting at the State Capitol (12/19)
Santa (and Grinch) Sightings
- Tea with Santa at TENN Restaurant (12/3)
- Free Photos with the Grinch at Graphic Obsessions (12/3)
- Daytime Visits with Santa at Cheekwood (12/3, 12/10-12/11, 12/17, 12/24)
- Santa at The Ryman on the Historic Ryman Stage (12/10)
- Stories with Santa at Assembly Food Hall (12/11)
- Sundaes with Santa at Hattie Jane’s Creamery (12/11)
- Santa at Nolensville Toy Shop (12/15, 12/20)
Top Holiday Attractions
- Enchant Nashville at First Horizon Park (now through 12/30)
- Jingle Beat at Fairgrounds Nashville (now through 12/31)
- The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle at Lighthouse Artspace (now through 12/31)
- ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center (now through 1/1)
- The Dancing Lights of Christmas at Wilson County Fairgrounds (now through 1/1)
- Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood (now through 1/8)
- Zoolumination at Nashville Zoo (now through 1/8)
- Drive Through Christmas Lights at Cannonsburgh Village (Fri, Sat & Sun 12/2-12/18)
Visual and Performing Arts
- The Wizard of Oz at Nashville Children’s Theatre (now through 12/23)
- Rembrandt, Goya & Durer: The Marvel of Old Masters at Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center (now through 1/8)
- Frist at Home: Architecture livestream (12/1)
- URBAN POP! Urban Art & Neo Pop from the American South at Chauvet Arts (12/1-12/3)
- The Worst Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Capitol Theatre (12/1-12/4, 12/8-12/11)
- White Christmas at Larry Keeton Theatre (12/1-12/18)
- Nordista Freeze Presents Space Prom at Brooklyn Bowl (12/2)
- String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (12/2)
- Beer & Hymns: Carols at Eastside Bowl (12/2)
- Baby: An Intimate R&B Throwback Party at The Blue Room (12/2)
- Martha Redbone: Bone Hill at OZ Arts (12/2-12/3)
- Spoken Word and Poetry Festival at TPAC (12/2-12/4)
- Home Alone in Concert at Schermerhorn Symphony Center (12/2-12/4)
- Architecture Tour at Frist Art Museum (12/3)
- Festivals of Light at Darkhorse Theater (12/3)
- The Mahogany Nutcracker at MLK Jr. Magnet School (12/3)
- First Saturday Art Crawl in Downtown Nashville (12/3)
- Holiday Art Festival at Art & Soul Nashville (12/3)
- West Nashville Art Crawl in Sylvan Park, Richland/West End (12/3)
- Jars of Clay: Family Christmas Concert at The Factory Franklin (12/3)
- Marc Maron at TPAC (12/3)
- Merry Everything: A Nashville in Harmony Holiday Concert at Nashville Schools of the Arts (12/3-12/4)
- A Bluegrass Christmas Celebration in The Caverns (12/4)
- A Songwriter’s Christmas at Hard Rock Cafe (12/4)
- Andrew Peterson: Behold the Lamb at The Ryman (12/4-/12/5)
- Christmas with Ryan Greenawalt at Eastside Bowl (12/5)
- Lunch & Learn at Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center (12/6)
- Disney’s A Christmas Carol at Capitol Theatre (12/6)
- Lauren Daigle: The Behold Christmas Tour at The Ryman (12/6-12/8)
- Nashville’s Nutcracker at TPAC (12/9-12/24)
- Tom Waits Tribute at The 5 Spot (12/10)
- Joss Stone at Grand Ole Opry (12/10)
- Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Franklin Theatre (12/10-12/11)
- Dinner Show featuring Selena Tribute, Joshua Guaz, and Mexican Folkloric Dancers at Plaza Mariachi (12/10, 12/17, 12/24)
- Performance: The Stonecutter at Frist Art Museum (12/11)
- Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular at Bridgestone Arena (12/11)
- Cory Feldman – Performing Hit Songs from His Movies at City Winery (12/12)
- Elf Jr. Musical at Portland Gateview Elementary (12/12-12/13)
- Amy Grant & Vince Gill at The Ryman (12/13)
- Nashville Philharmonic at Plaza Mariachi (12/13)
- A Royale Holiday! at City Winery (12/13)
- The Lantern Tour: Concerts for Migrants and Refugees at City Winery (12/14)
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve at Bridgestone Arena (12/14)
- The Black Opry Revue at Basement East (12/14)
- Langhorne Slim at The Basement East (12/15)
- ‘Tis the Season at The Union Station, Benefiting Alzheimer’s TN at Union Station (12/15)
- wellRED at Zanies (12/15-12/17)
- Music City Christmas at Schermerhorn Symphony Center (12/15-12/18)
- An Evening with Will Liverman at Noah Liff Opera Center (12/16)
- Performance: No-No Boy at Frist Art Museum (12/17)
- Christmas to the Bone at Basement East (12/17)
- Wintersong: Stories of the Season (Hanukkah, Christmas, & Kwanzaa) at Congregation Micah (12/17)
- For King & Country: A Drummer Boy Christmas Live at The Opry House (watch livestream on 12/18)
- Nashville’s Nutcracker Winter Camp at School of Nashville Ballet (12/19-12/22)
- Evan + Zane (Evan Rachel Wood & Zane Carney) Holiday Show at Basement East (12/21)
- Elf – The Musical at TPAC (12/21-1/1)
- Drew & Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas at Schermerhorn Symphony Center (12/22)
- Jeremy Lister Jazzy Christmas at 3rd & Lindsley (12/23)
- Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker at The Ryman (12/24)
- Kennyhoopla Presents: Home for the Holidays at Basement East (12/28)
- Widespread Panic at Bridgestone Arena (12/30-12/31)
- Old Crow Medicine Show at The Ryman (12/30-12/31)
New Year’s Eve
- Midnight at Noon! at Smyrna Outdoor Activity Center (12/31)
- NOON Year’s Eve Celebration at East Nashville Beer Works (12/31)
- Bollywood New Year Party at The Factory Franklin (12/31)
- Skydeck’s New Year’s Eve Party at Fifth & Broadway (12/31)
- New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park (12/31)
Last but not least, don’t forget about Rice Miller Group’s 4th Annual Coat Drive for Donelson Students! Look for our collection barrel at Homegrown Taproom and Kitchen during regular business hours. New and gently worn coats from youth small to adult XXL will be accepted through February 28th and given to students of Donelson schools through the HERO – MNPS Homeless Education Resource Office program.
